About Agricultural Communications CDE

WELCOME

Learn more about the Agricultural Communications CDE and get your students involved.
In this video, former UMN Ag Education Student and current teacher, Joe Ramstad explains the event and the many benefits of getting involved. 

CONTEST COMPONENTS

This CDE has teams of 4 students:

1 Web Designer  -  1 Video Producer  -  1 Journalistic Writer  -  1 Opinion Writer

WEB DESIGN
Each designer will use the press packet and information that was gathered in the press conference to develop a WordPress site. The objective is to communicate the press conference speaker’s organization through appropriate design, navigation and use of provided photos and graphics. The designer may use the provided WordPress templates or customize the template. Each participant will have 90 minutes to complete the practicums.
  • Students should come the the AG Com CDE with a WordPress account prior to the event.  Accounts are free!
  • Please visit the "Digital Media Production Tools" tab to learn more about these and other software. 
VIDEO PRODUCER
Students will be given a selection of video clips, photos, and music and will create a 60 to 90 second video that promotes the client’s product or service. Students will not be recording a voice track. Participants will have 90 minutes to complete the practicum. Students may be provided a laptop with the editing software of their choice. Students will need to provide their own headphones.
  • MN State CDE will provide access the following editing software:
    • DaVinci Resolve
    • HitFIlm Express
    • OpenShot Video Editor
  • You are welcome to use any video editing software you choose, but you will need provide access accounts or a computer with the software if you choose to use something besides the listed software above.
  • Please visit the "Digital Media Production Tools" tab to learn more about these and other software. 
Click the button below to gain access to past video projects students produced for the national competition. 
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​Click the button below to gain access to past journalistic writing projects that students produced for the national competition. 
JOURNALISTIC WRITERS
Writers will write a journalistic piece based on the press packet and information that was gathered in the press conference. It should be written for an appropriate audience, have a strong focus and lead (opening paragraph) and include a headline. The story will then be word processed by the student on a computer and turned in to be scored. Participants will have 90 minutes to complete the practicum.

The activity will rotate annually through the following journalistic pieces:
  • Press release (2017, 2020).
  • News story (2018, 2021).
  • Feature story (2019).
OPINION WRITERS
Writers are to write a piece that takes a position and support it with evidence based on the press packet and information that was gathered in the press conference. It should be written for an appropriate audience, have a strong focus and lead (opening paragraph) and include a headline. The story will then be word processed by the student on a computer and turned in to be scored. Participants will have 90 minutes to complete the practicum.
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The activity will rotate annually through the following opinion pieces:
  • A blog post (250–300 words) (2017, 2020).
  • An op-ed (500–750 words) (2018, 2021).
  • A letter to the editor (300–500 words) (2019).
​Click the button below to gain access to past op-ed writing projects that students produced for the national competition. 

Day of Contest Details

Day will include:
  • 20 minute press conference with an additional 10 minutes for question time
  • 90 minutes of work time to create the four components of the contest
  • Each individual will complete 2 quizzes (editing exercise, and communication quiz)

NATIONAL FFA AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION CDE RESOURCES

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